Every guinea pig expert knows that these pets need either "floor time," or adequate room to be able to exercise. The amount of room one guinea pig needs is debated to be anywhere between 4-7.5 square feet. Most experts lean towards the 7.5 measurement. The cages at PETCO are aquariums that are 2 square feet and contain at least 3 guinea pigs. The cages at PetSmart are similar: 2 square feet with plastic walls with slots for air. This is WELL under the "minimum" requirement given by experts including veterinatians, breeders, and rescue owners.

Guinea pigs with less room to roam are prone to depression and obesity, leading to a drastically shorter life. The average guinea pigs are said to live between 6-9 years. Although I am not an expert (yet), I have owned two guinea pigs and I avidly research guinea pig health and lifestyle journals, blogs, and books. Although guinea pigs are considered "herd" animals, they typically get along best with their litter. Males placed in cages with males from other litters are less likely to be happy together. The guinea pigs in the cages at PETCO and PetSmart are haphazardly placed together in cages too small for their comfort and well-being. Below is a confirmation in the fact that these animals are not getting the proper housing they need at PETCO and PetSmart stores.

"Does 7.5 square feet sound like a lot? It's not really. In the grander scheme of things, it is still a very small environment for your cavy. Exercise and exploration space are very important for their long-term health and happiness," Guinea Pig Cages Store states.

The Humane Society confirms the claims of the Guinea Pig Cages Store by saying,

"Most cages marketed for guinea pigs are way too small. Learn how to provide your pig with appropriate room to roam.

Why Size Matters

Guinea pigs are one of the largest rodents kept as pets and yet their typical cage is only marginally roomier than housing for much smaller relatives like hamsters and gerbils.

While small animal cages often utilize vertical space to increase living area and encourage climbing, digging and burrowing, guinea pigs rely on floor space. Ramps and platforms at low heights provide variety, but guinea pigs need room to exercise, even with daily playtime outside of the cage.

For many years, the industry standard has been approximately 2 square feet per guinea pig, but this provides barely enough room for a nest, bathroom area, and food and water. GuineaPigCages.com, a well-respected online resource for guinea pig owners, refers to this cage size as "a glorified litter box.""

The ASPCA affirms that only four square feet are neccesary, but that you should, "please try to get as large a cage as possible."

So what are these pet stores showing future guinea pig owners? By housing their small animals in such poor conditions, they are teaching others that guinea pigs are meant to be kept in packs of 3-5 in a 2 square foot aquarium. Yeah... NO. This is not the healthy way to take care of the guinea pigs. They simply need to agree to housing the guinea pigs differently, or simply house less pigs at a time. It is an easy fix!

Please take a look at these websites with supporting facts and information, if you have not already seen them.

http://www.guineapigcagesstore.com/why-so-big​

http://www.guinealynx.info/housing.html​

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/guinea_pig_housing.html​

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/guinea-pig-care​

http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig-cages/

Feel free to share links to supporting material and/or photos of overcrowded PETCO and PetSmart guinea pigs to support this case.